brown



(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Shet 1. A. A. BROWN 85 J. A. LARSH.

MACHINE FOR SEWING 0N BUTTONS. No. 340,536. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

N. warns. Pholn-Liliwmfluor. Wasbingwn. u. c.

(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 2. A. A. BROWN 86 J. A. LARSH.

MACHINE FOR SEWING 0N BUTTONS.

No. 340,536. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

N Firms. Pholo-Lilhographer. Washlnglun. D; c.

(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 3. A. A. BROWN & J. A. LARSH.

MACHINE FOR SEWING 0N BUTTONS.

No. 340,536. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

Nd Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 4.

A. A.-BROWN 85 J. A. LARSH. I

MAGHINB FOR SEWING 0N BUTTONS. No. 340,536. Patented Apr. 20,1886.

(No Model.) I I 9 Sheets8heet 5. A. A. BROWN 81; J. A. LARSH.

MACHINE FOR SEWING 0N BUTTONS. No. 340,536. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Shed s.

A. A. BROWN 85 J. A. LARSH.

MACHINE FOR SEWING on BUTTONS.

No. 340,536. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

9 Sheets-Sheet 7.

(No Model.)

A. A. BROWN & J. A. LARSH.

MAGHINE FOR SEWING 0N BUTTONS.

' Patented Apr. 20, 1886 N TIZRS. Phokruflmgnphar. Wichlnglum D C (No Modl.) 9 sheets sheet s. A. A; BROWN & J. A. LARSEL.

MACHINE FOR SEWING 0N BUTTONS.

No. 340,556. Patented-Apr. v20, 1886.

1 All (No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 9;

A. A. BROWN & J. A. LARSH MACHINE FOR SEWING ON BUTTONS.

No. 340,536. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

u. rnzns. Pholo-Lflhel aphcr. Washington. n.0,

UNITED STATES AARON PATENT OFFICE.

A. BROWN AND JAMES A. LARSH, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO; SAID LARSH ASSIGNOR OF FOUR-FIFTHS TO SAID BROWN.

MACHINE FOR SEWING ON BUTTONS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,536, dated April 20, 1886.

Application filed August 7, 1885. Serial No. 173,853.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, AARON A. BROWN and JAMES A. LARsH, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Sewing on Buttons, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to a machine for sewing buttons onto a fabric, and it is especially designed for sewing shoe-buttons onto a shoe fabric. It is especially adapted to carry out a process and make the stitch set forth in Letters Fatent of the United States No. 300,206, granted Aaron A. Brown, June 10, 1884, and we have shown the construction and arrangement adapted to this particular stitch, but the mechanism is adapted to make other forms of stitches by slight mechanical adjustments or manipulations of the operating devices.

One of the objects of our invention is to sew a button onto a fabric by making a doubleloop stitch over the button and eye, and pulling the loop-thread drawn through the eye down on the double below the eye, then reversing the position of the button and making the same loop from the opposite side and drawing it down and around the first loop.

Another object of our invention is to automatically operate and control the button and draw the thread over the button, so as to make a knot or loop below the eye of the button, thereby securing it firmly to the fabric, and to sew the buttons on in a continuous series.

Other features of our invention relate to the details of construction of the machine, and will be fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure, 1 is a side elevation of our improved machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation opposite to that of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top plan of the same. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the clamp-jaws, showing the moving cam and its connectionsin elevation. Fig. 6 is a detailed section, partly in elevation, of one of the clampjaws. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the clamping-jaws, moving cam, and connections. Fig. 8 isa side elevation of the needle-arm clamping mechanism and operating-cam.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation front top clamp for (No model.)

of the cam for operating the clamp-jaws. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the earn operating the thread-feeding arm or looper. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the cam-link and crank-corn nections for operatingwside clamps and the holding the button in a fixed position. Fig. 12 is a detailed view of the crank-arms supporting and moving the clamp-jaws shown in section. Fig. 13 is a detailed view of the front clamp. Fig. 14 is a detailed view ofthe foot for holding under edge of the button. Fig. 15 is a detailed view of the thread-releasing device. Fig. 16 is a side elevation'of the thread releasing mechanism and its operating-cam. "Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the thread take-up cam and drivinglever. Fig. 18 is an elevation showing parts and position for pulling the first loop through the eye of the button, with one of the jaws removed. Fig. 19 is a similar view showing the position of the parts completing the first loop or stitch. showing the position of the jaws and button when it is being pulled through the loop to form a stitch. Fig. 21 is a detailed view of needle and thread-releasing hook when the first loop is drawn through the eye of the button. Fig. 22 is a similar view showing second position of the parts for releasing the thread from the needle. Fig. 23 represents the third position of the parts in the act of slipping the thread off the hook of needle. Fig. 24 shows the button and fabric drawn away for the stitching for a second button.

A represents base or frame-work of the machine, on which the operative parts are mounted and supported. It is preferably made of castiron having sides A or flanges extending backward, for supporting the main driving-shaft B, which is journaled on said side extension, A.

All the leading movements of the machine are obtained from cams keyed upon said shaft, which, for conveniece,we have formed on the opposite side of disks a b c d e. The configuration of these cams formed on these disks are shown in the elevation by Figs. 5, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 16, and 17. These several cams are shown in position which they severally occupy in starting the first movement for forming the Fig. 20 is a front elevation 1 stitch, and they separately work out the movement in one complete revolution of the main shaft B. These movements and the details of construction are as follows.

represents the horn on which the fabric is supported. Its forward end is slotted and receives the needle-feeding bar or looper, which is a reciprocating bar operated by arm 0, to which it is connected by a bolt passing through a slot in said. horn, Fig. 1. operated by cam shown in Fig. 10.

0 represents forks projecting back from bar 0, which serve as guides for a frictionroller, cflwhich is rigidly journaled on a stud projecting from bar 0, said friction-roller traveling in the cam-grooves at. These two cam-grooves a produce two movements of the looper-arm to one revolution of the shaft. This double movement is only necessary when two loops or stitches are made in sewing on one button. Ve design to use the same movement, using only one stitch for a button, and hence one movement of the looper to sew on a button. This movement is made to feed the thread forward and throw it into the needle-hook after the clamping-jaws have clamped the button and carried it into position.

The clampingjaws D D are pivoted to a crosshead, D, which supports a stud, h, Figs. 2 and 5. These jaws are supported at the front end by crank-arms E E, and held in position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and at. the rear end by a sliding bar, 01, which reci procates in j ournal-wrist g, mounted on bracket 0, said bar being rigidly connected to yoke D, said bar being also attached at its forward end to a cross-piece, d connecting the lower end of the crank-arms HE,

substantially as shown and lettered in Fig. 2. The crank-arms E E are j ournaled upon a shaft, 6, journaling in a sleeve, 6, Fig. 1, said sleeve being the termination of the overhanging arm F,which projects forward from frame A of the machine, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

E represents a slotted crank-arm keyed upon the shaft e; and E represents a connecting-rod engaging by a wrist, e, in the slot of arm E, journaling on a center, Fflwhich is pivoted to arm F, the latter being fulcrumed upon an arm, F, projecting from the frame of the machine. Its lower end carries a roller, F, which works in the cam-groove f, Fig. 11. The construction of this cam and its connections are such that when the main shaft B starts in its revolution it carries the clamping-jaws D D forward, to hold the button in position under the needle,- but the jaws are previously brought together to clamp the button in the following manner: The jaws are slotted through their sides, as at Z, Figs. 1 and 7, and in this slot or mortise is placed a yoke, 0",which has inclining slots, d, pierced vertically throughout. In each of these slots is a roller, d, journaled on a stud or pin formed on or attached to the jaw D and D, respectively, and running vertically through the slot of the jaw.

This looper is H" represents a pitman having its forward end rigidly connected to the cross-head 0, Fig. 5. It rests upon the sustaining-rod 01. This latter, as previously stated, reciprocates in the wrist-journal g, which sustains the mechanism operated upon and with the jaws D D. The pitman His bent down at its near end, as shown in Fig. 5, and suspended upon a link, H, which is pivotally connected'to the upper end of the stud h.

9 represents an extension of the pitman H and it reciprocates in a wrist-journal, 9, that journals in the forward end of the bell-crank lever G, the latter being fulcrumed on a pin, 9', on the frame of the machine. Its lower end carries a roller, G, which travels in the cam-slot G, which slot is so constructed as to give it two reciprocating motions, to give the pitman H two forward and backward movements with one revolution of the shaft. The rod 9 slides freely through the wrist g on lever G, and the reciprocating movement imparted'to the said rod by the lever is due to the pivotal connection between the hanger H and the stud h. The fir st movement is to draw together the jaws D D to clamp the buttons and hold them in this position until after the needle has drawn the thread through the eye of the button. When the forward movement of the pitman H moves yoke 0 forward, it opens or spreads the jaws at the right time to permit the button to pass through the loop as it is turned over by the side clamps, 1 1, in the manner about to be shown, one thread of loop passing on either side of button. When the jaws D D are again brought together to clamp the button, the movement is reversed for making the second stitch, as will be more fully shown hereinafter.

1 represents the side clamps, which are shaped to grasp the edge of the button. These clamps are formed on a stud or short shaft, 2, which journals in the jaws D D.

3 represents a pinion keyed upon each one of these short shafts.

4 represents rack-barsattached to the under side at the end of arms H H. These racks engage with the pinions 3. The bent shanks of these armsH H are connected together by a pivot at the heel, and the shank H is pivoted to a bell crank -lever, H one end of which lever is pivoted to the stud h, supported by the cross-head g". (See Fig. 3.)

The arms H H are operated by levers and a cam preferably in the following manner:

5 represents a wrist-pin journaling in the driving-lever 6, through which rests, passes, and reciprocates the shank-rod H.

6 represents a lever-supporting wrist 5, journaled to the frame.

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7 represents a roller-journal in the lower end i of lever 6 and traveling in the cam-groove 8. 9 represents the stud on which arm 6 is journaled. This cam is of such shape as to reciprocate the arms H H forward and back once duringeach revolution of the main shaft B, so as to turn the button over from its posiin Fig. 24 for making a second stitch.

tion shown in Fig. 18 to the position in Fig. 24, which journals upon the front side of the 19, which movement completes the first stitch frame of the machine, as shown in elevation, by pulling the thread over the button, and the 1 Fig. 4. second movement reverses the button from the 25 represents the journals,26,the lower end of position shown in Fig. 19 to the position shown the arm, which is bent forward and downward, and pierced with a hole, through which passes 10 represents a stationary top clamp, which i the thread L. .The thread is held on spool 28, is attached to a head, 11, connected to bar 13. and passes through the eyes 29 in the tension- (See Fig. 2.) This top clamp serves as a press- 1 bar 30, thence through the hole in guide 27, ure-bar for holding the button down. a rep th'ence through the eye of the take up lever,

resents a hook which holds the button in the -thence forward along the line of the horn C,

under the thread-retaining spring 31, thence forward to the eye 32, and through the eye in the looper C, so as to be engaged by the hook 33 of the needle 34, as shown in Figs. 18 and 19, when the parts take the movements as before described. The shape of the cam 26, Figs. 2 and 17, and connecting parts of the bar 26 are such that the arm rises position shown in Fig. 19.

12 represents a front top clamp, which is likewise pivoted to the head 11 of said bar 13. Its upper end is provided with a slot, 14, in which engages a pin, 15, that projects from crank-arm 16, which crank is journaled to the crank-shaft c. This crank-pin 15 and arm 16 move the top clamp, 12, forward and upward 'take-up into the positionshown in Fig. 1. and feeds forward when the needle is at its At each movement of the mechanism comlowest point, allowing the looper to pull pleting a stitch or loop the action of the side through a sufficient quantity'of thread to form clamps, 1 1, reverses the position of the butone loop, and is then retracted to pull the ton and brings the clamp back again into poloop back simultaneously with the pulling the sition on the button to hold it down before the loop over the button after it has been drawn needle is passed through the eye of the button through the eye and engaged by the mechan for drawing through the loop. The points h ism before described. (See Sheet 9 of the of these clamps 10 and 12 serve the function drawings.) This backward movement is sufof opening or spreading the loop of the thread ficient to pull the thread taut to complete the so that the loop may be pulled over the but formation of the stitch, and when two stitches ton at the right time, thus avoiding missing a i are made by one revolution of the shaft, as stitch or loop. i herein described, it has a double oscillating 17 represents an arm carrying a supportingmotion,caused by the shapeof the cam-groove hook, 46, which is shown in reversed position 1 26. 1 in Fig. 14. i The numeral 35 represents the needlebar,

18 represents a slot pierced through the to the lower end of which the needle is atshank of said hook. i tached.

19 is a pin projecting from clamp 12 into 36 represents the operating-lever, to which slot 18, and serves as a guide to hold said hook i the needle-bar is connected by means of a 17 in its proper vertical plane. This support link-rod, 37, passing through the wrist 38, ating-hook l7 obtains its motion from the clamp 1 tached to the needle-bar. (See Fig. 8.)

12, to which it is connected by the pin 19, Fig. 39 represents the pivot connecting said le- 13, engaging with the slot 18, as set forth, and ver 36 to themachine.

moves backward and forward simultaneously 40 represents the cam groovein which roller with it. These clamps 10 and 12 are moved 41 travels, journaling on the lower end of leup and down vertically by the bar 13. This ver 36, to operate the needlearm. (See Fig. bar is moved by a lever, 20, which is prefera- S.) This cam 40 makes two up-and-down mobly operated by means of slot 21, working on 1 tions of the needlebar to one revolution of the a pin or stud, 22, projecting'through said slot, shaft, so as to pull two loops or stitches through and it is operated by the cam-groove 23, in 2 the eye of the button, as will be described hereinafter.

The machine is operated as follows: The

which-travels a roller connected to the lower end of arm 20. The shape of this cam is such as to bring the bar 13 down to clamp the but fabric to which the buttonis sewed islaid upon ton and hold it while taking the first loop or the born 0. A feeding device may be enistitch, then to raise it to allow the button to ployed to feed the button into the clamps be reversed from the position shown in Fig. 18 i 1 1 while the jaws D D are in the act of closto that shown in Fig. 19, then brought down i ing, or the buttons may be fed in by hand. for taking the second loop or stitch, and raised The main shaft B is rotated by hand or power. again for releasing the button preparatory to The first movement of the cam G brings the a second operation-that is, the cam 23 raises clamps 1 1 together, engaging the button, and and lowers the piston 13 twice during each into the position shown in Fig. 18. The neerevolution of the main shaft, and the shape of die-bar then thrusts the needle through the the groove 23 is such as to make the moveeye of the button, as shown in said figure, and ments quickly at the right point of time. the thread feeder or looper G is thrown for- In order to furnish the right amount of ward, bringing the thread L into the book of the needle, and the needle and its bar are retracted, drawing the loop up through the thread to form a loopand draw it taut at the right time, we have provided a take-up arm,

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fabric and the eye of the button. As soon as the needle is fully retracted,the thread-releasing device shown in Fig. 23 is brought in the position as there shown. It consists of a pivoted deflecting-hook, 41, pivoted to bar 42 and held up by a spring-actuated rod, 41, attached forward of the pivotal point and drawing upward, as seen in Fig. 15, and aslot-ted guard, 43, through which the needle dips slightly, passing through the slot 44, (shown in Fig. 15,) which throws the thread off of the hook, and it slips down onto the thread-releasing hook 41, which drops on its pivot, as shown in Fig. 23, the thread sliding off as the arm 42 is retracted. The retraction of said arm 42 is effected in the following manner: The arm is rigidly mounted upon a yoke, 42", pivotally attached 'to one of the guides of the needle-bar 35. Upon this yoke is formed an arm, 42, which extends upward, and is connected by a rod, 42, with a lever, 42, which is vibrated by a cam, 42, on the main shaft. At this instant ofdropping the thread off of hook 41 the top clamp -jaws, 10 and 12, are

raised to the position shown in Fig. 19; but

while the loop is held up by the needle, as shown in Fig. 22, the side clamps, 1 l, are released by the spreading of the jaws D D, and the button is reversed or turned over into the position shown in Fig. 19. This movement draws the thread over the button, the point it of clamp 10 spreading apart the threads,to allow the button to pass between them. As the thread is slipped off the releasing-hook 41 it drops down onto the eye of the button and slips off over the eye onto the loopthread below the eye, where it is drawn taut by the backward movement of the take-up arm 26. As soon as the button is brought into the position shown in Fig. 19,the clamps are brought down onto the button to hold it firmly, the needle thrust through the eye of the button and fabric by the second downthrow, and the thread drawn up through the eye of the button a second time. The loop-forming mechanism moves forward to form the loop the same as in making the first loop or stitch, in which position the loop is held by the threadreleasing hook 41 momentarily, to allow side clamps, 1 1, to clamp and reverse the button to its former position, at which movement the thread again slips off of the releasing-hook 41 by a backward oscillation of the bar 42, dropping the thread down over the eye, as in the first operation, when the backward motion of the take-up arm 26 will draw the second thread taut onto the eye of the button and onto the first loop. The slotted bar 43 throws the loop off of the hook of the needle in the same manner for the second stitch as described for the first stitch, and the completion of the revolution of the shaft draws the holding-foot 46, button 47, and the top clamp-jaw, 12, into position shown in Fig. 24, pulling the fabric and the button along, making a space for a second button, and assisting in drawing the loops of the stitches taut to the fabric. Asecond button is brought into the clamps 1 1, and the operation is continued for this and each succeeding button, sewing them onto the fabric in a continuous series with the same thread. The thread can be made very large and strong, so as to obtain a very strong stitch for sewing.

The ordinary sewing-feed may be used to feed the cloth along slightly between the first and second loops, or it may be fed by hand, so as to have the needle go through the fabric for making the second loop or stitch a little in rear of the first penetration.

We claim 1. In a machine for sewing on buttons, the combination, with the reciprocating clampjaws D D, of carrying-clamps 1, carried by crank-arms having shafts journaled in the said clampjaws, and adapted to hold the button in position for drawing through the first loop or stitch, and mechanism, substantially as described, for rotating the clamp, turning the button, and holdingit in position for drawing the second loop through the eye, as substantially herein specified.

2. In combination with the reciprocating clampjaws D D, a mechanism for driving, opening, and closing the same, the reversingclamps 1 1, and the reversing-pinion and rack operated by bars H H, and means, substantially as described, for reciprocating said bars, substantially as herein specified.

3. In a machine for sewing on buttons, the combination, with the stitch-forming mechanism, of the reciprocating clamp-jaws operated by the crank-arms E E, the latter operated by the lever connected to a cam from the main shaft, substantially as herein specified.

4. In combination with the clamp-jaws D D and the clamps 1, the pinions upon the shafts of said clamps, the racks engaging with said pinions, and the reversing mechanism consisting of bars H H, operated by a cam and connection from the main shaft, substantially as herein specified.

5. In combination with the jaws D D, operated by cams on the main shaft, the spreading mechanism 0 d d, operated by a pit man connected to a lever and driven by the cam G" on the main shaft, substantially as herein specified.

6. In combination with the jaws D D, clamps 1, the oscillating top clamp, 12, operated by the crank-arm 16 simultaneously with the movements of crank-arms E E and jaws D D, means, substantially as described, for operating the crank-arms E E, the stitchforming mechanism, and the vibrating supporting-hook 17, connected to and operating in unison with the clamp 12, substantially as herein specified.

7. In combination with the clamps 1 and their operating mechanism, the stitch-forming mechanism, the top stationary clamp, 10, and vibrating clamp 12, having their extreme ends pointed, so as to spread the thread for drawing the loops over the button, and the 10. In combination with the crankarms E E, operated by lever and cam mechanism from the main shaft, the jaws D D, the pivotal clamps carried thereby, the reciprocating bar 13, carrying the top and supporting clamps operated by a lever and a cam on the main shaft, substantially as herein specified.

11. In combination with the reciprocating jaws D D, operated by cranks and cams on the main shaft, the arms H H, pivoted to bell-crank and connected by reciprocating rod H, moving through the pivoted wrist 5, journaled on the lever 6 and driven by the cam 8, the clamps 1 1, pivotally mounted in said jaws, the pinions on the shanks of said clamps, the racks driving said pinions, and the stitchforming mechanism, substantially as herein specified.

12. In combination. with the jaws D D and their connecting and driving mechanism, the pitman H, connected to its driving-leverby shank g', reciprocating in the journal-wrist g,

the bell-crank lever carrying said wrist, the cam operating said lever, and the crossbar 0, having inclined slots engaging with pins on the said jaws D D, whereby the pitman is reciprocated independently to open and close said jaws, substantially as herein specified.

13. In combination with the stitch-forming mechanism, means, substantially as described,

for supporting and holding the button, the

reciprocating jaws D D, the arms H H, having the oscillating wrist-connection to the cam on the main shaft, the reciprocating spreading mechanism operated by pitman H, connected to oscillating and reciprocating mechanism driven by a cam on the main shaft, and crank-arm, lever, and cam' connections of the jaws D D, whereby the three several mechanisms are operated independently from the main shaft simultaneously with the movements of the other parts, and each performing its several functions successively, substantially as herein specified.

14:. In combination with the needle-bar and hooked needle, the take-up bar 26, the looperbar 0, having a stud, and the cam a, mounted on shaft B, to feed and draw the thread as the button is presented to the needle in reverse positions by the buttonclamping mechanism, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

AARON A. BROIVN. JAMES A. LARSH.

\Vitnesses:

JNo. S. RonBUcH, J r., ROBERT ZAHNER. 

